Clemens Florian Baime

MADISON - Clemens Florian Baime, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014. He was born in Mandan, N.D., on April 6, 1915, to German-Russian immigrants. After childhood in Wausau, Wis., he married June (Peggy) M. Lane on Sept. 10, 1938. Their marriage recently reached 76 years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and returned to Madison to complete a B.A. in social work in 1949 and a M.A. in education in 1950 at the UW under the GI Bill. At that time, he began a 30-year career in education, first teaching in Brooklyn, Wis., in 1949, and later as a teacher and principal at Nichols School in Monona. Clemens introduced many innovative teaching methods while at Nichols School. He ended his career in his highest calling with the Department of Public Instruction as the supervisor of the Wisconsin's migrant education program, making many friends with migrant families throughout Wisconsin. He became the chairman of the National Association of State Directors of Migrant Education in his final two years before retirement in 1977. A renaissance man, he loved classic literature, philosophy and poetry. In recent years, he could recite from memory various poets for over two hours at a time, including Shakespeare. Music, woodworking, tailoring and bicycling were also his passions. At age 72, he crossed America from Seattle to Boston on a bicycle. With his friend, Jim Kerr, he helped launch the non-profit "Wheels for Winners" in Madison. He was artistic and athletic with a caring heart. He is survived by his wife, June; sons, Peter (Sonya) and Thomas Boehm (Sue); son-in-law, Will Hughes; and grandchildren, Nicholas, Henry Boehm, Christopher, Dylan Hughes, and Raphael Boehm. His daughter, Rebekah, preceded him in death in 2006. In recent years, he was blessed to connect with family members including his great-niece, Jean and Jim Elvekrog, John and niece, Maureen Schoofs; half-sister, Beverly Maccallum; and niece, Vicki Boehm. Clem was a very social person, gifted by and giving to, many friends over the years including Jim Kerr, neighbor, Craig Pfister, Kevin Simpson, and the many staff at Monty's Blue Plate. He was healthy most of his life and was blessed by a patient-caring medical team at UW Hospital; specifically Dr. Mark Juckett and Dawn Reininger, and at GHC, Dr. Olinger and Dr. Matthew. In his final months, he loved and was thankful for the help and friendship of Maria Schumacher at Oakwood Village for stellar PT, and loving care by Sadie Cook, Chelsi Pulvermacher, Rachael Valencia, Steve Schwoegler and Jeff Shields at Chamomile Assisted Living, and most recently by Agrace HospiceCare staff. There will be no formal services in honor of Clem's life. It would be his hope if you could find a way to touch a child in some way to tip their lives to betterment, support an environmental or progressive cause, and vote on Nov. 4, 2014. As a final salute to the long life of Clemens Baime, one of his favorite Whitman poems in his memory reads in part: "I depart as air. I shake my white locks at the runaway sun. I effuse my flesh in eddies, and drift it in lacy jags. I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from grass I love. If you want me again, look for me under your boot soles. You will hardly know who I am or what I mean. But I shall be good health to you nevertheless.." A final salute to Clemen's long life "Wherever You Go There You Are", based on his favorite book by John Kabat-Zinn.